Hubballi, Karnataka | December 22, 2025
In the aftermath of a brutal honour killing that claimed the life of a 20-year-old pregnant woman, her devastated husband has publicly demanded the death penalty for the accused, vowing not to rest until justice is served. The incident, which unfolded in the quiet village of Inam Veerapura near Hubballi, has reignited fierce debates on caste discrimination and the urgent need for stricter laws against such heinous crimes in Karnataka.
Manya Patil, seven months pregnant and joyfully preparing for motherhood, was allegedly hacked to death with an axe and assaulted with a sprinkler pipe late Sunday night at her husband's residence. The attack, carried out by her own father and two relatives, stemmed from their unrelenting opposition to her inter-caste marriage to Vivekananda, a Dalit man from the Madiga community. Manya, hailing from the Lingayat community, had been in a loving relationship with Vivekananda for two years before the couple eloped and registered their marriage on June 19 at the Hubballi registrar's office, defying familial threats.
Eyewitness accounts and police reports detail a horrific scene: Around 6:30 p.m. on December 21, the accused—identified as Prakashgowda Patil (Manya's father), Veeranagowda Patil (uncle), and Arun Gowda Patil (relative)—barged into the home, armed with lethal weapons including a sickle and sword. They targeted Manya first, inflicting severe head injuries that caused her to collapse from massive blood loss. As Vivekananda and his parents, Renubva and Subhash, rushed to intervene, they too were viciously attacked, sustaining serious injuries. Manya was rushed to a private hospital in Hubballi but was declared dead at 9:30 p.m., her unborn child perishing with her.
Speaking to reporters from his hospital bed at KIMS Hospital, where he is recovering alongside his injured in-laws, Vivekananda poured out his anguish and fury. "They killed my wife as if she were a sheep. She was seven months pregnant, carrying our child—our future. I will not spare them. They must be punished according to the law and given the death sentence," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. "We lived peacefully as a family; she was a good wife, treated like our own daughter by my parents. This caste nonsense has destroyed everything." Vivekananda's maternal aunt, Jayashree, echoed his call for justice, questioning, "Is marrying for love a crime? Why must caste dictate who lives or dies?"
Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya confirmed the arrests of the three accused within hours of the incident, crediting a swift special team for the operation. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at Hubballi Rural Police Station under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. "The investigation is underway, with forensic teams examining the scene and weapons recovered. We had previously counseled both families and brokered a compromise after the marriage, but clearly, tensions persisted," SP Arya told media persons. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody, and authorities are probing prior threats reported by the couple, who had briefly relocated to Haveri district for safety before returning on December 8.
The tragedy has sparked widespread condemnation and protests. Dalit rights activists and women's groups gathered outside the police station, demanding a fast-track trial and exemplary punishment. Karnataka State Women's Commission Chairperson Nagalaxmi Chauhan labeled the killing "a barbaric assault on women's autonomy and dignity," urging the state government to enact a dedicated anti-honour killing law. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressing profound shock, directed the Director General of Police to monitor the case personally and ensure no stone is left unturned. "Caste-based violence has no place in modern India. The guilty will face the severest penalties," he stated on social media.
Neighbours in Inam Veerapura, a predominantly rural community 10 km from Hubballi city, mourned Manya as a "bright, resilient young woman" who had completed her pre-university education and dreamed of a simple family life. The village, once serene, now grapples with the shadow of prejudice, as locals whisper about the family's warnings against the union and the couple's fears of reprisal.
This case joins a disturbing list of honour killings in Karnataka, highlighting the deep-rooted societal fault lines that continue to claim young lives. As Vivekananda fights for recovery and retribution, his plea for the gallows serves as a raw cry against the tyranny of tradition. Updates on the investigation will follow as new details emerge.
This report draws from police statements, eyewitness accounts, and family interviews.
For More News Updates Follow Us On Www.tconews.in
